Quadruple Citizenship

By Rajitha Ratwatte
fromoutsidethepearl@gmail.com

I see rants and raves, even in editorials, about dual citizenship and including a clause in the new Constitution to ban these “betrayers” of the Pearl from holding high office or political office. The yapping chorus in parliament I can understand. They are the same morons who have taken our Country to where it is, and they are incapable of thinking. In fact, to call them dogs by insinuating that they yap is a grave insult to our canine friends!

But “educated” members of society I cannot fathom. Maybe it is because they chose to stick to their safe jobs with servants and chauffeurs and didn’t have the courage to venture into a new life? While doing so, those who made it to “captains of Industry” status should realise that they are responsible for the mess the country is in, in no small measure. Their frog in the well thinking and unashamed sycophancy has compromised the whole country. Pure unadulterated jealousy a trait that is SO prevalent among the denizens of the pearl. Jealousy that prevents them from taking actions that would be beneficial to the populace but detrimental to them and their families. We have seen such decisions SO many times, haven’t we? Any and all of the above could be reasons why it is extremely important to the “thinkers” of the Pearl that dual citizens are left out. Rubbish about loyalty to multiple countries are being spoken about by a Country in which parliamentarians appointed on the national list of one-party vote for the opposition, and heaven forbid misquote the Bard, to boot! It would be laughable if it wasn’t so pathetic.

Besides, how is this decision so important when the fact that ALL of you may be quadruple citizens soon, is being ignored? The way the Pearl is dissolving, India may own the North, America a broad swathe of the middle and China the rest of the Country that of course you have your closely guarded and deeply protected citizenship of. This could effectively make all of you quadruple citizens! I actually saw a cartoon depicting this and rather than laugh, it brought tears to my eyes. India because they will NEVER give up the north and try to hang on by using the tank farm in Trincomalee in some form. America because of the money we will HAVE to accept from them and then, according to our yapping chorus the land we will have to hand over and other insinuations like American GI’s being above the Countries laws. China of course because they already own a port and an Airport, that we the ordinary people know of. Your guess is as good as mine with regard to what else is owned by China!

Honestly folks, what a mess we have got ourselves into?! This time I really don’t see any way out. I earnestly urge you to start planting food that you can eat in your gardens and strengthen whatever security arrangements you have around your houses. This is going to be the toughest one of all and nothing short of a miracle is going to save our beloved country this time. I wish I could find a way of living in Sri Lanka right now. This may sound strange to some of you but a few of you may relate to the fact that true patriotism comes with sharing the suffering. I lived through the war, I knew the real fear of not knowing if you or your family would make it home every evening due to suicide bombers. I want to share the pain and desperation that will be coming to each and every one of you, I hurt, I bleed, I cry for you, my beloved mother country.

Here is Aotearoa we have the preliminary results of the two referenda we voted on at the general election, out today. We voted on if Euthanasia should be legal and if the use of marijuana should be legal. Euthanasia has won a huge victory as far as the preliminary results go with 65% of the votes counted so far being in favour. This was sort of expected in a largely livestock farming country, where the regard for the value of life is not as high as in Countries such as the Pearl. Aotearoa also doesn’t have things like Karma and beliefs that one can rectify some accumulated sins by paying them off with suffering in one’s present life, to cloud the issue. Straightforward decision made to end life prematurely for those who have no hope of recovery and are existing in a vegetative state, if approved by qualified personnel.

The marijuana story seems to be a much closer run race. At the moment we have a 53% margin against the approval of legalizing the use of recreational Marijuana. So, 47% are for approval and there are still some “special votes” which are votes cast by people from outside their usual place of residence to be counted. However, it may still be a narrow victory for the nays. Narrow minded, strait-laced (read as over 60 Caucasian) and God fearing (read as pacific islander communities) New Zealand, has won the day. Ironically there was a recorded increase in Marijuana use among over 65s, when it was legalised in Canada!

We could have missed a great commercial opportunity and the ability to introduce some control, not to mention a tax. A tax that can be increased annually as in tobacco tax. Medicinal Marijuana is of course approved for use under doctors’ orders. The prediction is that legalisation of recreational Marijuana will come to Aotearoa, sooner or later even if this referendum deems otherwise. The final result of the referendum is another two weeks away.

We eagerly await the appointment of the new cabinet and other ministers, here, in Aotearoa. New policy and plans for alleviating some of the existing and perceived issues are also looked forward to. Meanwhile, we brace ourselves for the expected Covid 19 induced recession and any and all economic catastrophes that may ensue.